On World Asthma Day, 2nd May, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood highlighted in the Senedd Chamber the findings of a new report by Asthma and Lung UK Cymru which exposes failings in asthma care in Wales, and called on the Health Minister to outline what is being done to improve care and treatment for those with asthma and lung conditions.
The report notes that ‘Wales has the highest respiratory deaths of any nation in Western Europe’, yet ‘two thirds of asthma deaths are preventable with better basic care’, and that the charity’s most recent survey found that less than a quarter of people with asthma in Wales received basic care in 2022.
Having attended the launch of the report in the Senedd earlier in the day, Mr Isherwood referred to its findings when calling for a Statement from the Health Minister during yesterday afternoon’s Business Statement “setting out what the Welsh Government is doing to improve treatment for people with asthma and other lung conditions”.
He said:
“Today is World Asthma Day, when we shine a light on the more than 314,000 people living with asthma here in Wales. In fact, after recovering from COVID-like symptoms during the first weeks of lockdown, when COVID tests were unavailable, I was diagnosed as one of these.
“Today's launch of the Asthma and Lung UK Cymru report, 'Raising the Bar', in the Senedd, highlights the low levels of people receiving basic asthma care, the over-reliance that so many people have on reliever rather preventer medication, and the fact that two thirds of asthma deaths are preventable. I call for a Statement accordingly.”
In her response, the Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths MS, said:
“Welsh Government set out, back in November of last year, our approach to improving healthcare services in the quality statement for respiratory disease, and that will be supported by the establishment of a national respiratory disease clinical network. The Member will also be aware that we have the clean air plan for Wales and the Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill coming forward, and that will support action to reduce the impact of air pollution on people's health, and especially respiratory conditions, such as asthma.”